The Las Vegas Raiders, one way or another, were going to make a major statement in Week 17. If they won, Pete Carroll and the coaching staff would prove that this roster is still fighting for them, and that at least they aren't the worst team in the NFL. That things could be worse.
With a loss, the statement was going to be that things are so bad in Las Vegas that a changing of the guard is necessary. A blowout loss was an even stronger version of that statement. The front office clearly stepped in earlier in the week to ensure that the Raiders did not have their best odds to win.